Showdown in Fallon

By Alana Adams&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Sat 7:36 PM, Nov 12, 2005&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Mon 9:38 AM, Nov 14, 2005

Larry Lecave, the president of the local union, says the training of the pilots may be in jeopardy, said, "We do the electronic warfare for the US Navy and their practice bombing areas. We put up electrical targets, we remove exploded ordinance, clean up the bombing range, make sure they have good visual targets."

Strike Looms

They're represented by the electrical workers and communication workers union and they say they've had a rough couple months after Lockheed Martin lost the government contract at Fallon Naval Air Station Oct. 1.

John Storey says he's worked at the base for 20 years, and when the new group came in, he was demoted to a position he held when he first began working at Fallon.

"The morale of the people really got down and it hasn't really improved since then."

Lecave agrees, saying this can cross union lines.

"We're at war and we think our pilots may suffer if we don't complete our training and keep this thing rolling."

They say Northrop Grumman along with three other subcontractors took over after Lockheed was forced to layoff several employees.

"They have been wanting to drop pay and take away benefits."

The president of the local union says the main issues at stake are higher wages, job security and safety.

He says Friday night, the workers voted unanimously to support a strike if Northrop Grumman and the other contractors do not agree to the negotiations.

"We're in a bridging agreement to have a contract hammered out in 90 days and we're down to the last hour."

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